Thursday, December 7th

From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, here is your news for Thursday, December 7th, on Mix 104-1 and Talk 101-3 The Buzz.

From the Cleveland Daily Banner…

The victim of the home invasion and hostage situation last week spoke for the first time publicly about her fear during the incident at her Royal Oaks Subdivision residence.

Virginia Evans Chism testified at the preliminary hearing Tuesday for Mark Clayton Cain, who was arrested for breaking into the home and holding the woman against her will. Cain appeared at Bradley County General Sessions Court for the hearing.

Chism said she looked outside her home and noticed a truck parked nearby, then saw it in front of her property. She said she felt the vehicle’s appearance looked suspicious. Following her training in the Neighborhood Watch program, she called 911 to report the suspicious vehicle.

During this time, the emergency dispatcher advised her to go to a lockable room and stay there. Chism said she went to a bedroom with a lock, then into a closet in that room which also could be locked.

She went to the bedroom closet after hearing the glass of a front window of her home being shattered.

Chism continued to stay on the line with 911, and said even though Cain said he “had a commitment not to hurt old people or handicapped people,” she still feared for her life. Chism testified from a wheelchair that she was using in court.

The Public Defender’s Office asked Chism if Cain ever attempted to get into the bedroom, by kicking in the door, and she said he did not. She admitted that it would not have taken much effort to break into the bedroom.

Eventually, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team was able to remove Chism through a window in the bedroom, after “what seemed like 2 to 2 1/2 hours,” Chism said.

Also testifying was Deputy Chris Shope of the BCSO. He said he ran the vehicle identification number on the Mazda pickup truck and found it to be reported stolen.

The Public Defender’s Office argued that Cain should not face charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, as it does not fit the criteria. The PD said there was no intent to harm anyone, so it should not be classified as especially aggravated kidnapping.

Cain is to appear in Bradley County Criminal Court on the charges on Feb. 12. Until then, he is expected to remain in custody at the Bradley County Jail.

Also from The Banner…

Brooke Simpson, one of the top contenders on NBC’s national music competition “The Voice” and a former Lee University student, reached into her musical and religious background this week.

Her performance among the TV show’s Top 10 Monday evening was from her days growing up as a daughter of two Southern evangelists.

She sang “Amazing Grace,” a favorite throughout the South’s Bible Belt, and elsewhere across the nation.

It was also a favorite with viewers, as their vote from Monday’s performances made her the first singer selected Tuesday to move forward into the Final 8.

From WRCB Channel 3…

Day 25 of Tennessee’s coaching search is ending with reports that the Vols and Alabama Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt have all but finalized a deal.

Knoxville Radio Host Jimmy Hyams was the first to report it via Twitter.

Pruitt’s meteoric rise continues, just 11 years ago Pruitt was coaching the defense at Hoover High School in Alabama.

Pruitt has won three National Championships as a defensive coordinator. Two with Alabama and one with Florida State where he was named a finalist for the Broyles award given to the nation’s best assistant coach.

The University hasn’t confirmed anything yet.

This has been your local and state news. You can get news anytime by visiting our website, mymix1041.com, powered by Pioneer Credit. From the Tennova Healthcare Cleveland News Desk, this is Jeremy Gault reporting.